PyDev Installation Guide For Windows

Kent McDonough

These instructions will guide you through setting up Python 3.7.0 to run in Eclipse 4.8. After you are done, you will be able to develop Python inside an Eclipse workspace like any other native Python IDE. This guide will not cover the download and installation of Eclipse. Please reference the Eclipse Installer Download Page.

Disclaimer: This procedure may be different for legacy or future releases of Python and Eclipse. Additionally, some Eclipse plugins may change the appearance of menus and toolbars. This document will use a stock version of Eclipse with no additional modifications.

This procedure is divided in two parts: Installation of Python 3.7.0 and Configuring Eclipse. Users who have previously installed Python 3.7.0 may wish to skip to Section 2 - however, some familiarity with the procedures in Section 1 will be assumed.

Checking Windows’ Current Python Version

  1. Open a PowerShell window by right clicking the Windows icon on the taskbar, then clicking ‘Windows PowerShell’.

  2. python --version and hit enter. If you see an error similar to the one below, you do not have python installed. If you see an output similar to the one at the end of Section 1 Step 6, you already have Python installed. Users who have previously installed Python 3.7.0 may skip to Section 2. Figure 1:

Section 1: Downloading Python

  1. Navigate to The Official Python Downloads Page for Windows.

    Figure 1:
    Figure 1:

  2. Download version 3.7.0. You should receive one file, named python-3.7.0.exe.

    Note: The yellow download button might show a different version. Specific releases are on the bottom on the page, if version 3.7.0. is not the main version.

  3. Run the python-3.7.0.exe executable.
    Depending on your security settings, you may need to click “allow this app to make changes to my device” in order to continue.

  4. At the bottom of the first dialogue, click the Add Python 3.7 to Path option.
    Then click “Install Now”.

    Figure 2:
    Figure 2:

  5. When the installer is finished, click “Close”.

  6. To make sure your Python has installed successfully, reopen PowerShell and type python --version. The output should now look like:

    Figure 3:
    Figure 3:

    If you still see an error message, try closing and reopening the PowerShell window. PowerShell must refresh to display the most recent information about your computer.

Section 2: Installing PyDev for Eclipse

  1. Launch Eclipse into any workspace. In the top menu bar, click Help > Install New Software.

    Figure 1:
    Figure 1:

  2. In the ‘Work with’ bar, copy the following link. “http://www.pydev.org/updates”. Click the “Add…” button to the right of the bar.

    Figure 2:
    Figure 2:

  3. A dialogue may appear asking for a ‘Repository Name’ and ‘Location’.
    Type ‘PyDev’ for the name and make sure the URL in ‘Location’ matches what you entered previously. Then click “Add”.

    Figure 3:
    Figure 3:

  4. After a short loading time, the window should now display several plugins. Select the checkbox next to ‘PyDev’ and click next.

    Figure 4:
    Figure 4:

  5. The next window gives a summary of the plugins about to be installed. You should see two listings as below - when this is correct, click next.

    Figure 5:
    Figure 5:

  6. Select ‘I accept the terms of the licence agreement’ in the next dialogue, then click “Finish”.

    Figure 6:
    Figure 6:

  7. When the plugin has finished downloading, a security warning may appear. Click “Install anyway” to continue with the installation.

    Figure 7:
    Figure 7:

  8. After the installation, Eclipse will need to restart. Click “Restart now” to restart immediately, or “No” to postpone it.

    Figure 8:
    Figure 8:

Section 3: Configuring the Python Interpreter

  1. When Eclipse has restarted, select Window > Preferences.

    Figure 1:
    Figure 1:

  2. Select PyDev > Interpreters > Python Interpreter.

    Figure 2:
    Then click “Quick Auto-Config”. The window should now populate with information about the Python version installed in Section 1.

    Figure 3:
    Figure 3:

  3. Select the ‘python’ executable displayed in the top window, then click “Apply and Close”.

Section 4: Create a New Project

  1. Click on File > New > Project.

  2. Select PyDev > PyDev Project from the dialogue, then click next.

    Figure 4:
    Figure 4:

  3. Give the project a descriptive name. At the bottom, be sure to select ‘Create ‘src’ folder and add it to the PYTHONPATH’. Then click “Finish”.

    Figure 5:
    Figure 5:

  4. PyDev projects should be opened in the PyDev perspective for editing. Click “Open Perspective” in the next dialogue.

    Figure 6:
    Perspectives can be changed by clicking the icon at the upper right corner of the Eclipse window.

    Figure 7:
    Figure 7:

PyDev Installation Guide For Mac

Author: Wesley Nguyen

These instructions will guide you through setting up Python 3.7.0 to run in Eclipse 4.8. After you are done, you will be able to develop Python inside an Eclipse workspace like any other native Python IDE. This guide will not cover the download and installation of Eclipse. Please reference the Eclipse Installer Download Page.

Disclaimer: This procedure may be different for legacy or future releases of Python and Eclipse. Additionally, some Eclipse plugins may change the appearance of menus and toolbars. This document will use a stock version of Eclipse with no additional modifications.

This procedure is divided in two parts: Installation of Python 3.7.0 and Configuring Eclipse. Users who have previously installed Python 3.7.0 should skip to Section 2 - however, some familiarity with the procedures in Section 1 will be assumed.

Checking Mac’s Current Python

Once you have installed Eclipse, you may check your current Python version from Eclipse.

  1. Open Eclipse, left click on the Eclipse tab in the upper left corner of your task bar. Select Preferences from the drop down menu to open a Settings Menu.

    FIgure 1: Mac Eclipse Menu
    FIgure 1: Mac Eclipse Menu

  2. From the dropdown menu on the left side, select General > PyDev > Interpreters > Python Interpreter.

    Figure 2: Eclipse Preference Menu
    Figure 2: Eclipse Preference Menu

  3. The current Python version highlighted below is Python 2.7.10. The highlighted interpreter is the default Python version on a 2015 MacBook Pro. By default, Eclipse will path to this version. Different Python versions may appear that you do not see in the picture. Any previously downloaded Python versions from the Python website will be displayed here.

    Figure 3: Python Interpreter Menu
    Figure 3: Python Interpreter Menu

Section 1: Downloading Python

  1. Navigate to the Python Download Page to download the latest Python 3.7 version for Mac OSX.

    Figure 1: Python Download Page
    Figure 1: Python Download Page

  2. Download Python 3.7.0. You should receive one file, named python-3.7.0-macosx10.9.pkg, or similar.

    Note: The yellow download button might show a different version. Specific releases are on the bottom of the page if version 3.7.0 is not the main version.

  3. Navigate to your Macbook’s Finder > Downloads and find the Python .pkg. The Python file should be the first item in your Downloads folder.

    Figure 2: Mac’s Finder Pane
    Figure 2: Mac’s Finder Pane

  4. Double click the .pkg file to open the Python downloader. Figure 3: Python Installation Menu

  5. Click “Continue”, read the license and click “Agree”. In the Destination Select step, make sure the file destination is set to “Macintosh HD.”

    Figure 4: Python Destination Select Step
    Figure 4: Python Destination Select Step

  6. Click “Install”.

    Figure 5: Installation Type Step
    Figure 5: Installation Type Step

  7. Once the download is finished, Python will prompt you to to move the .pkg file to the Trash. Your selection will not alter the end result.

    Figure 6: Final Python Installation Step
    Figure 6: Final Python Installation Step

Section 2: Configure Python Interpreter

  1. Refer back to Checking Mac’s Current Python in the introduction. Follow steps 1 and 2 to open the Eclipse Python Interpreter menu. Click on each Python version and click “Remove” to remove them from the list. If you see the Python 3.7.0 version, DO NOT click “Remove.” You may leave this version alone and skip to Section 3.

    Figure 1: Python Interpreter Selection Box
    Figure 1: Python Interpreter Selection Box

    If you didn’t see the Python 3.7.0 version, or accidentally removed the version, continue to Step 2 of this section.

  2. Click “New”. A dialog box will appear asking for an ‘Interpreter Name’ and ‘Interpreter Executable’.

    Figure 2: Starting A New Python Version Path
    Figure 2: Starting A New Python Version Path
    Figure 3: Interpreter Menu
    Figure 3: Interpreter Menu

  3. Click “Browse”. Under Devices on the left-hand side of the window, select your personal MacBook. In the Finder search bar, search ‘Python’. Your recently downloaded Python 3.7.0 folder should show up.

    Figure 4: Location of Python version 3.7.0 inside of Macbook
    Figure 4: Location of Python version 3.7.0 inside of Macbook

  4. Select the Python 3.7.0 folder and click “Open”. Select the Python Launcher and click “Open”. Finally, name your interpreter ‘PyDev’. Click “OK” once finished.

    Figure 5: Filled In Python Interpreter
    Figure 5: Filled In Python Interpreter

    If you see an invalid interpreter error message, refer back to Step 1 of this section. Double check you have removed the correct Python Interpreters.

Section 3: Configure New Eclipse Workspace

  1. Close out of Eclipse. Reopen it up. Click the “Browse” button.

    Figure 1: Eclipse Launcher
    Figure 1: Eclipse Launcher

  2. Select where you want the new folder to be. Click the “New Folder” button on the bottom left of the menu.

    Figure 2: Destination Folder
    Figure 2: Destination Folder

  3. Eclipse will display a dialog box asking for the name of the new folder. Name the folder ‘PyDev’ and click “Create.”

    Figure 3: New Folder Dialog Box
    Figure 3: New Folder Dialog Box

  4. Click “Launch” to open Eclipse with the new workspace you just created.

    Figure 4: Eclipse Launcher
    Figure 4: Eclipse Launcher

Section 4: Configure New Python Project

  1. Left click on the File tab, select New > Pydev Project.

    Figure 5: New Folder
    Figure 5: New Folder

  2. Fill in the project name with ‘HelloFriend’ and select the “Create ‘src’ folder and add it to the PYTHONPATH” button. Click “Finish.”

    Figure 6: Python New Project Menu
    Figure 6: Python New Project Menu